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Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex to present Native American Month lecture on Nov. 4 2006

Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex in Moundsville will present a lecture with Dr. Richard L. Allen, policy analyst for the Cherokee Nation, based in Tahlequah, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. The talk is timed to coincide with Native American Month and is free and open to the public.

Allen will present an overview of the Cherokee Nation with a special emphasis on the Western Band of the Cherokee.

As policy analyst for the Cherokee Nation, Allen prepares policy documents, white papers, and research papers in support of cultural identity; tribal sovereignty; Cherokee history; anthropology; and federal, state and tribal legislation. In addition, he acts as a liaison between the Cherokee Nation and appropriate federal, state and tribal agencies, as well as dealing with Veterans, the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act and Section 106 issues of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Among other things, Allen has also been director of the Jack Brown Center for the Cherokee Nation, supervising more than 30 employees in a long-term residential treatment center for American Indian adolescents in need of treatment for alcohol and substance abuse and behavior issues, implementing alternative treatment options including use of traditional American Indian therapies such as the sweat lodge, song and dance, history and oral tradition to augment mainstream treatment and a 12-step program for adolescents. He also served as education liaison for the Center, planning and coordinating education and training activities.

Allen also has served as a facilitator at Camp Chaparral, ,Veterans Affairs (VA) Office, Yakama Indian Nation, Toppenish, Wash. While there he provided VA service providers, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses and administrators with knowledge and understanding of American Indian traditional healing practices.

Allen received his bachelor’s degree in education from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., and his doctorate in education from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1966-69.

For more information about the lecture or other activities at Grave Creek Mound, contact Susan Yoho, site manager for the facility, at (304) 843-4128.

Operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Grave Creek Mound Archaeology Complex features one of the largest and most famous burial mounds built by the prehistoric Adena people. A massive undertaking, construction of the mound took place in successive stages from about 250-150 B.C., and required the movement of more than 60,000 tons of earth. Exhibits and displays in the complex’s museum interpret what is known about the lives of these prehistoric people and the construction of the mound. The Archaeology Complex is located at 801 Jefferson Ave., in Moundsville. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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MEDIA NOTE: Dr. Richard L. Allen can be reached at work at (918) 456-0671,

ext. 2466.